Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer continued to outline his support for Ukraine while condemning Vladimir Putin during a meeting with dozens of world leaders today
Sir Keir Starmer has said military chiefs would meet in the UK on Thursday as plans for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine move into an “operational phase”.
He told a press conference in Downing Street: “We agreed to accelerate our practical work to support a potential deal. So, we will now move into an operational phase.
“Our militaries will meet on Thursday this week here in the United Kingdom to put strong and robust plans in place to swing in behind a peace deal and guarantee Ukraine’s future security.”
He told a press conference at Downing Street today that he hosted a call with counterparts from NATO, the European Union as well as Canada Australia and New Zealand. The Prime Minister praised Donald Trump in pressing for a peace agreement in Saudi Arabia.
He added: “We reaffirmed our commitment to Ukraine’s long-term security and agreed that Ukraine must be able to defend itself and deter future Russian aggression.
“Robust and credible security arrangements are the best way to ensure that any deal ends in a lasting peace. We agreed military planners would convene again in the UK this week to progress practical plans for how our militaries can support Ukraine’s future security.
“We will build up Ukraine’s own defences and armed forces, and be ready to deploy as a ‘coalition of the willing’ in the event of a peace deal, to help secure Ukraine on the land, at sea and in the sky.”
It comes after Mr Starmer said Russia President Vladimir Putin would have to come to the negotiating table “sooner or later.” He made the comments as he began talks to establish a “coalition of the willing” to support Ukraine against further Russian aggression.
Speaking to about 25 world leaders from 10 Downing Street, the UK Prime Minister said President Volodymyr Zelensky – who also joined the call – had shown “once again that Ukraine is the party of peace” by agreeing to a US-brokered ceasefire deal. It emerged on Thursday that Russia had rejected the ceasefire offer and is continuing its war in Ukraine.
Mr Starmer said Putin had tried to “delay” any ceasefire, adding: “If Putin is serious about peace, it’s very simple. He has to stop his barbaric attacks on Ukraine and agree to a ceasefire. The world is watching. My feeling is that sooner or later he is going to have to come to the table and engage in serious discussions.”
